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laugh cascaded joyfully in the a ir. Elwyn closed his eyes . The name rang a bell, but he could not place it. He had probably read it somewhere on Sebastian ’s charts and his overworked imagination plotted a fictitious world around it.
    “Why am I here? What about my cousin?”
    His companion sighed. The sad little sound forced him to open his eyes again.
    “I could not do anything for him. He was sent back. But I saved you…”
    And just like that, the young woman bent over him and kissed his lips. All in all, it was a pleasant fantasy…

Chapter 5
     
     
    Sacha straightened up , startled. She moved a little and realized her face and her hands were cold, whereas she felt hot with the nurse of a headache. Her eyes adjusted to the feeble light, and she finally noticed Derek . He was seated by the opening in the gable that served as a n upper door, looking outside. He stayed immobile with his sleeves rolled up despite the cold air coming in, apparently deep in thought.
    She moved to get up and join him but his voice stopped her. “There is some stew and bread if you are hungry. The stew is probably just warm by now.”
    The bowl was some feet away from her, close enough for her to smell the food. Her stomach growled in approval. The bread was a little crunchy from poor grinding but she devoured it to the last crumbs . The food helped to clear her head and she felt better, though still a little dazed from her nap.
    Derek had put a clay jug beside the now empty bowl. It contained some home-made ale and she sampled it carefully, nearly choking when the bitter taste grazed her tongue. The ale was strong and savoury , so she drank more. The alcoholic beverage succeeded in warming her.
    Sacha did not remember covering herself with her blanket , but it was spread over her legs. She curled under the thick cloth, propped up on one elbow, and squinted at Derek .
    “How long did I sleep?”
    He did not turn his head to answer her question, still watching the darkening fields.
    “You took in only a few hours. The farmer confirmed he saw our troops passing by a few days ago, then no one else save an isolated rider or two. Sebastian was not taken back this way. We will head n ortheast tomorrow . I want to arrive from the back at…”
    “ Elwyn is in Caer Lon.”
    Derek stared at her in befuddlement and she calmly held his doubtful gaze.
    “We have to go there.”
    Irritation perked through his answer.
    “That is impossible. How would you know where Elwyn is anyway? We will ride n ortheast at dawn.”
    He did not believe her. How could she explain? He would simply laugh and dismiss her vision. Sacha took another swig of ale and immediately regretted it. The beverage was far stronger than what she was used to. S he inhaled deeply to chase away the dizzying sensation. Derek chuckled and walked to her shelter to take the jug from her hands.
    “You want to be careful with that.”
    She glared but her displeased glance was lost to him as he sat away from her, his attention entirely devoted to the recipient he started playing with, making it turn between his knees on the dusty floor.
    Sacha took his pensive attitude for an opening and tried again.
    “ Derek , I know I am right. Elwyn is in Caer Lon. We need to go there…”
    He continued his little game in silence, though she was sure he had heard her. Why could not he rely on her? Frustrating, stubborn , idiotic specimen of a …
    “ Sacha , Caer Lon is a myth. It was where the High Kings of Camelot held their court. The place was lost three hundred years ago . Elwyn cannot be there or it means he is dea- ”
    “He is not dead!”
    She nearly screamed in anguish. He was her twin, her other half. If he had died, a part of her would have died too. He was alive. He was. She knew he was.
    Surprisingly, her outburst brought Derek closer and he put one hand on her arm to comfort her , though he took it off almost immediately. When he spoke, she recognized Ylianor ’s reassuring